Heart thudding within her chest, the sickening twisting of dread coiled around Padmé as her arm unconsciously curled around her stomach.
Another bated breath passed, the hushed murmurs descending upon the restless crowd; cruel and uncaring.
"Perhaps they didn't survive."
"The chosen one, destined to save us all…What a shame."
No…
A renewed sense of determination flared up as the Senator forced the swirling doubts away from her mind.
Surging forwards, she shoved through the crowd, hand trembling like a battered leaf plummeting to its demise at the thought that seemed to taunt her; despite her futile efforts to shove it away.
He had to be fine…
"Senator!"
A hand suddenly gripped the Senator's wrist, yanking her back from the burning wreckage.
Away from Anakin.
The stony glare of pure irritation simmered within her dark eyes.
"Let go of me." She ordered to the stranger, commanding.
"You must wait until the droids come, it is too dangerous…" The advisor trailed off, meekly releasing her arm at the pointed stare, features set into hardened stone.
Before anyone else could stop her, Padmé rushed forwards, falling short at the sparking door controller, only long enough to yank her blaster free from the holster as blood red bullets ripped into the feeble wires.
A hitched breath lost within the swirling of panic and teeth clenched in determination, Padmé shoved herself against the unfaltering door.
And yet…
She didn't collide with metal.
Warm, strong arms stabilised her as she stumbled unexpectedly.
"Padmé ? What are you doing here?"
The familiar voice threaded deep with concern as Anakin dropped his arms immediately, azure eyes floating to the gathered crowd of greedy eyes encircling upon them.
"Ani." Her whisper of relief could scarcely be heard by her lover, shoulders dropping as the anxious weight trickled away, into unbridled joy.
"You're alright."
"I am." Anakin replied gently, eyes crinkling with adoration. "But first, we should leave before this ship collapses completely."
"Agreed." The muffled voice of Obi-Wan chimed in, an edge of irritation bleeding through the Force.
"Obi-Wan." The Senator's smile widened as her unease calmed to a still, clear lake on Naboo.
"What about Cal and the Chancellor?"
"Alive." The Chancellor's composure remained professional, yet sharp glaring eyes pierced into the young Jedi.
The phantom menace felt a slither of amusement as Cal's body tensed in fear.
Despite the young Cal Kestis' resolve within the Force, to save the galaxy - he was still terrified of the dark lord; of the power he held over the Jedi.
A clone planted within a ship anchored upon the edge of Bracca, waiting…
Hand hovering, never straying far from his blaster.
A good soldier did what it's told.
.
.
.
"Alright." The Jedi-Master nodded, grimacing as the adrenaline faded, leaving a weary pain burning against his every movement.
"I suppose I will volunteer to report what occurred to the council."
The reluctance within his tone did not go unnoticed by Anakin or Cal as they shared a glance, biting back a grin.
"Do you want me to accompany you, Master?"
"No. You should enjoy some time off, Force knows you saved all our lives with how you landed that ship."
"How many times is it now? 3? 4?" Anakin smirked.
" 3 ." Cal quipped, ignoring Obi-Wan's hum of agreement. "That time in Geonosis doesn't count considering you did get caught with us."
"I called the council though!" Anakin grumbled. "Without my help you two would've been trampled within the arena."
"Anakin, you and Cal drove me insane with your ridiculous jokes. I would've been glad to be trampled to dust if it meant I didn't have to suffer through that again."
"I suppose that means that we will have to think of more jokes, Ani." Cal joked, stifling his laugh at Obi-Wan's murderous glance.
"Will you three stop this foolishness, do you not have important reports to collect?" Count Dooku growled, fists clenched in fury as the handcuffs cut deep within his wrists, preventing him from clutching upon the Dark side.
"I am truly sorry Dooku." Obi-Wan replied, a tone of fake sympathy dripping from his lips. "I did not realise you were in such a rush to be placed on trial."
Count Dooku clenched his teeth together, muttering a curse underneath his breath.
"I suppose the sooner I complete this report, the better. Cal, will you escort our dear prisoner to the holding cells?"
"Of course."
"After we dispose of this traitor, what about a duel?" Anakin asked.
"You're on." Cal agreed.
Anakin nodded, the harmony of his emotions humming through the Force with sheer content.
No slither of darkness.
Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, the Chancellor strode towards them, each step purposeful and proud.
Hold his gaze, do not falter. Cal reminded himself, taking a breath to strengthen his frayed nerves.
"Anakin, my dear friend." The Chancellor greeted. "After you have finished your Jedi business, I don't suppose you have some spare time to watch an opera with an old friend?"
"Of course Chancellor." Anakin said, ignoring the twisting, nagging doubt within the Force that begged the question as to why the Chancellor was so insistent on killing Dooku.
Surely it did not mean anything…
But Dooku was unarmed.
"Can I tag along?" Cal replied instantly, not allowing the Dark Lord to confide with him, to tangle him within his swirling manipulations.
Never.
"Sure. I don't see why not." The Chancellor shoved out, a thin, wry smile as the resentment of the Dark thickened around Cal, a blaring reminder he could end the pathetic Jedi at any moment.
.
.
"Cal."
The ginger glanced up at Obi-Wan, his smile fading at the seriousness etched upon his face. Eyebrows knitted together, a gnawing worry shimmering through their established bond.
"Obi-Wan?" Cal asked hesitantly, ignoring Dooku's harsh curse as he was jolted to a halt.
"Master Yoda would like to speak to you privately."
The sudden silence enveloped the two, a single audible breath escaping from the ginger as he pursed his lips, nodding.
"Will you be ok?" The Master watched as Cal raked his hand through his hair, noting with worry as his barriers tightened, completely cutting off his emotions from any invading intruder.
"Of course." Cal nodded, a grim smile appearing more like a grimace did anything but reassure the older man.
It was Master Yoda, he should trust that Cal will be fine.
And yet…after what occurred last time, after what he saw Cal went through at the hands of the council, he could not say with assurance that he would ever blindly trust them again.
And without another word, Cal handed Dooku to Obi-Wan and left; trying to ignore the trailing eyes as he pleaded with the Force that he would not be locked up once again.
.
.
.
A knock reverberated throughout the meditation hall, dousing the peaceful atmosphere with deep uncertainty as Cal entered.
The Force swirled around him, light and peaceful; each soft step brought him deeper within the comforts within such; his anxieties seeping from the depths of his mind.
The room shimmered with a warm artificial light, a hue of colours reflecting upon the marble floor and mingling within the stark white walls of the abode.
"Ah yes, Kestis. Come, come." Yoda called with urgency, gesturing Cal to sit upon the pillow opposite him.
Silence outstretched as Cal eased into his meditation position.
Relaxing, but never dropping his guard.
"Hmm, strange it is." Yoda remarked after a beat, opening his eyes to glance upon the young stranger opposite him.
"What is, Master Yoda?"
"Hold many secrets you do, wonder why I do." Yoda nodded, his attention cast upon the strong bond Cal had within the Force.
Cal flinched, averting his gaze as stuttering excuses tumbled feeble from his lips.
"I…"
"Worry not, Kestis." The Jedi Master reassured. "Force you to say anything, I will not. Strong in the Force you are. Trust this I will."
Remember trust only in the Force…
The memory flooded upwards, unwanted but consuming and Cal shook with the effort it took to shove it back into the deep waves of memories.
Perhaps, it was Master Yoda's gentle tone, the soothing presence of the Force acting as a bandage to soften his aching, weary soul that Cal finally sighed, defeated.
Emerald green eyes downcast, his hands wringing within his lap as he finally told an inkling of truth.
"I wish I could…but." Trailing off, Cal did not have the strength to finish the sentence, of the words he could not summon even if he knew how.
Surviving was his one constant within life.
Just keep going was easier to deal with, simpler to deal with than the wave of overbearing remnants of emotions that he had shoved aside since he was tumbled back to this era. Emotions and pain that threatened to crumple his very soul.
The fear, the doubts that consumed his nights that he would fail were all forced within the depths of his mind to never be seen again.
Survive.
Just ensure they survive.
The Force was his friend, it kept him safe and he thought of it akin to his lifeline. And yet, in that moment, with Master Yoda glancing at him in empathy; as if he could sense his emotions, his turmoil…
It was so tempting to not be alone anymore, to tell him everything.
But no, he could not take the risk that somehow Palpatine would find out.
He would be no help to Anakin if he was dead.
Just continue surviving and hopefully, the day will come when he will be able to live .
"If you are in danger, the council can protect you."
You can't protect me, not from this. Cal thought bitterly, a melancholic smile smothered with sadness adorned his solemn expression.
"Why have you called me here, Master?" The hoarseness of his voice grated with raw emotion.
It was not lost on either of them.
"A blood test."
Those three words seem to echo around the empty room, plunging the knife of uncertainty deep within the young man.
Violently, recoiling; Cal was already shaking his head before he could form any words to describe the whirlwind of feelings.
"The council has decided…" The master began, understanding, yet disliking the seized worry drifting through the Force, as if Cal was worried this was a trap.
Eyes darting around the room, desperately searching for an escape, blood roaring through his ears seemed to deafen Yoda's words.
"...but make you I will not."
Cal blinked, his mind whirring, confused.
"You won't?"
Yoda shook his head.
"You are scared. Hiding. Who you are hiding from…know this I do not. If you wish to tell me, stay between us, this will."
"Stay between us? You wouldn't tell the council?" The Jedi asked, cocking his head in bewilderment, unable to wrap his mind around Master Yoda's thoughts.
"Erase the result, I would. Tell no one." The Jedi-Master confirmed, patiently waiting for Cal to gather his tangled thoughts.
It was obvious that he wouldn't be able to hide who he was forever and if he was honest he wished to stop the blackened lies.
For once tell the truth.
Could he risk it? What were the chances that Palpatine would find out?
"You'll stop asking questions? Erase the result immediately?" His hesitance and fear was torn into fragments, his yearning to finally be seen would always be stronger .
For someone to finally understand…
"Yes."
Eyes fluttering shut, casting aside the endless possibilities, repercussions that could result in disaster because of his actions.
"Alright." He breathed out. That one word, felt his chest release a claustrophobic pressure.
Choking at the sheer relief he felt.
Yoda nodded, standing quickly, as if the Master was worried Cal would change his mind.
"Good. Come come. Treat your wounds, we must."
.
.
.
The unmistakable blood-red writing seemed to mock Cal mercilessly, each second passing down, furthering the suffocating silence as he seemingly waited for an eternity for his response.
"Been through a lot, you have." Yoda finally replied, softly as his hand rubbed against his chin, finally understanding.
Cal could only bite his lip and nod his head slowly, unable to trust his own voice not to fail him. Those few words offered more comfort, more understanding than anyone within this timeline had offered before.
Salty water burned, blurring his vision into a swarm of colours.
"Ask questions, I will not. Thank you for trusting me."
"Is…that it?" Cal's expression seemed torn, a hushed whisper, almost lost within the cacophony of noise in the clinic.
"Yes, young one. I will advise the council you are trustworthy, fear not. I will not tell them the truth."
Yoda twisted towards the device, hand blurring as he inputted a code, erasing the results forever.
Cal dipped his head in gratitude, a peaceful smile faintly showing his appreciation.
"Thank you."
"No. Thank you Cal Kestis. Know why you have returned, I do not. Yet I believe you want to help us." Yoda nodded to himself, as if he was deep in thought; pondering the reason. The danger that lingered beyond the present.
The Force would not send a young Jedi back in time, unless it was a good reason.
Why was Kestis so scared?
Why was the Jedi-Master unable to peer into the future, hidden behind stormy clouds of rage and fury?
"What is your plan now?"
Cal shifted, gingerly touching the rough bandages against his throat.
"I need to find a way to gain the trust of an enemy." He replied carefully, unwilling to reveal any more information that could be connected back to the Dark Lord.
"Hmm, you must be willing to give up everything you believe in to bargain; hurt you this may."
Cal hummed in agreement, his expression pulled down as his mind brushed upon the Bounty Hunter.
"I will keep this in mind. Thank you Master Yoda."
And with a respectable, sweeping bow, Cal turned upon his heel - instantly freezing at Yoda's next words.
"Remember Kestis, we are here. Never alone you are on your mission."
Cal couldn't respond, scrubbing roughly at his watery vision, he strode out into the desolate hallways.
.
.
.
"Ani!" Cal scrambled forwards, the warm greeting bouncing off the empty hallway as Anakin turned; grinning at the sight of the ginger.
"Hey! Obi-Wan told me that you had a meeting with Master Yoda, is everything alright?"
Are you alright?
The unspoken words of concern flared within their bond, filling Cal with an unmeasurable sense of peace.
Yoda was right, he was never alone.
"It's all sorted." Cal reassured, a growing smile unwilling to be restrained at Anakin's stiff nod and grumble.
"Finally."
A bright smile glimmered upon Anakin's face, his sky blue eyes shimmering with happiness; to the point where Cal had to ask himself if the other had just received good news.
"...The Chancellor was called to an emergency meeting, sadly he couldn't make it to the opera."
Anakin's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Thank Kriff.
He didn't wish to face the dark lord so soon after what happened…
A ghost of a touch brushed against his wrapped throat, mind reeling as his lungs stuttered; desperate for the air that never came.
"So are you ready for that duel?"
The other was still talking. The ginger realised with a burning guilt. And here Cal was too wrapped within his own self pity to notice.
"I wish I could…" He instantly regretted each word as Anakin's joyous smile faded, a deep disappointment hanging within the air.
"But I need to leave."
Whatever the blonde was expecting his friend to say, it wasn't that and it caught him off guard, his expression morphing into confusion as he sorted what that meant.
"Leave? I thought the council finally sorted everything out. If you need me to talk to them…"
Snorting at the thought of Anakin shoving himself in the middle of the Jedi council meeting, stubbornly glaring at each of the members as he demanded what was occurring, although very tempting, was not ideal.
"No, no." Cal laughed, ginger ringlets bouncing as he shook his head. "It's nothing like that, I have a mission from Master Yoda."
It should concern Cal how easy the lies spilled from his lips, how the churning guilt no longer affected him.
Some reason, it did not.
"Are you going alone?"
Oh…
"Are you still having nightmares Ani?"
Cal asked gently, slowing to a halt as a beat passed, the reluctant nod confirming Cal's fears; dirty blond hair obscuring his pained expression and dark circles smeared under his eyes.
"I'll be fine. To be perfectly honest, I would like you to come, but I don't think Obi-Wan would be too pleased…considering last time. " He added, mumbling the last words, casting his mind back to the stern, stormy telling-off the Master had hurled at them.
"Have you two lost your mind? Why in the Force did you think it was a good idea to travel to Tatooine alone?! Not only that, but during the dead of night, where any youngling with a brain would realise the severe consequences of the temperature."
"True, true. I never want to hear that again, Force that was a nightmare." The insistence nagged at Anakin's tone, as if to reassure himself that if Cal was in trouble he would instantly know his location.
"Where are you headed to?"
"The Bounty Hunter's guild. I need to collect some more information about the clones."
A sudden thought struck Cal, a petrifying fear gripped him that he wouldn't be able to stop the falsified sweetened lies and softened sympathetic manipulation from the Chancellor, if he was away.
"Well then I suppose Padmé and I could head to Tatooine for a while, I do want to check on my mother."
The relief that descended upon Cal within a wave.
Thank the Force.
"Well let me know when you return, we will definitely resume our duel." Cal retorted, smirking as he clapped his hand against his friend's back.
An unrecognisable sensation descended upon Anakin, as if this would be the last time he would see Cal.
As if the Force was begging him to persuade the ginger not to go.
The dread pooling within his stomach was dutifully pushed aside.
A thin smile was offered instead, bringing his arms around him, perhaps to reassure himself that Cal would be perfectly fine.
"Stay safe Cal. May the Force be with you."
"And with you, I'll see you soon."
Please prove my thoughts wrong Cal. Please return…
.
.
.
"Leaving so soon?"
Obi-Wan's voice jolted Cal from his musings, interrupting his futile packing efforts.
"War waits for no one, someone needs to be responsible." Cal sighed, standing despite his protesting limbs.
" Inspiring ." The short quip came back as he leaned against the door, arms crossed in contemplation.
"Where are you headed?"
There was something off within the Force that Obi-Wan couldn't ignore.
A shifting sensation of peril akin to a calamity-ridden storm mocking, just out of reach from the city.
But it was coming.
It was as if the Force was urging him not to let Cal go…
"The Bounty Hunter's guild, hopefully to get some much-needed answers."
"Good." Obi-Wan responded distractedly, unknowing how to respond to the ice-cold sensation rippling through the Force.
"I'll see you later, Obi-Wan." Cal shrugged his bag onto his shoulder. "May the Force be with you."
"Wait. Cal…"
The Jedi-Master handed a bulky object to Cal, who grasped it awkwardly, glancing at the Jedi-Master in alarm, when the realisation hit of what it was.
"Is this…"
"Just in case, so you can contact us."
A content smile eased on the ginger's face, glancing down at the communication device that lay within hands.
The unsaid gratitude died within his throat.
"Thank you, for everything. "
"Goodbye Cal, I shall see you when you get back. May the Force be with you."
Debating with himself, Cal made up his mind, deciding to finally ascertain some desperate answers.
"Do you know about Anakin and…"
The heaved sigh hung with more weight than any conversation could ever do so, Obi-Wan's shoulders slouching as if they struggled to hold the immense weight of secrets.
"And Padmé ? Of course I do."
"You knew." Cal mused, his hand resting upon his chin as he contemplated, turning the other's words over and over.
"And yet you do nothing about it?"
No hint of accusation was evident within his tone.
Obi-Wan thought of what to say carefully, unwilling to forsake his code nor his position upon the council.
"I may be on the council Cal, but that does not mean I agree with all their laws. Love makes people stronger, helps bond them through pain. Padmé makes Anakin happy, that is all that matters to me."
Cal nodded, as if the response was acceptable.
"Agreed. But although love can make you stronger, it also makes you more susceptible to the wrong choices. Take care of him, Obi-Wan."
And with those final words, Cal left.
"You can come out now, Anakin." Obi-Wan yelled to the shadows; shifting slightly to glance at the shocked glance as the Jedi Knight slinked out from the darkness.
"You knew Master?"
"Of course I did, my former apprentice." Obi-Wan reassured, soothingly. Letting his hand rest upon Anakin's shoulder.
"I knew from that moment you stood before her as her guard."
"But, you wont report me?" He asked cautiously, in disbelief that his Master would disobey the council.
"I will not." He promised an edge of warning echoing through the darkness. "But be careful Anakin."
"Of what? Padmé ?"
"No, of the Dark side. Love may strengthen the Light, but the Dark will do anything within its power for you to use it, including forsaking those you care about."
Anakin nodded in understanding.
"Thank you Master.."
"I am so proud of you Anakin, you have become a better Jedi than I could ever be."
.
.
.
The rain thundered down, as the hunched figure pulled the hood of the coat up further; minimal shivers racked through them as the frozen rain cut through their thin layers.
Halting at their destination, they steeled themself.
Raising their hand, the sharp knock thumped upon the door. Shrieking screech of metal unfazed them as the door hissed open reluctantly.
Revealing a warm waft of air, the hanging silence before danger, strangled the air as the aliens froze their games and drinks at the sight of the intruder.
"..."
Before Cal could even say a word, blasters were trained on him instantly; halting him in place.
"Well, well, a Jetti ." The snarling voice thick underneath a helmet spat, growling with contempt.
"We do not mix with your kind here."
"I don't want trouble, I just want to know where Jango Fett is." Cal replied cautiously, ensuring his hands were lifted in a sign of peace.
Heart beating frantically within his chest as the man touched the trigger in a feathery light touch, impatiently.
"We do not give up our own."
"I need him for a job." Cal responded, ensuring his face remained neutral.
"And what job does a filthy Jetti need for a Bounty Hunter?."
"That is my business, not yours."
The Bounty Hunter huffed, cursing underneath his breath, although he despised Jedi, the Mandalorian knew it would be a futile battle to anger one within a battle.
"He has a home, on the outskirts of the city, be warned he despises your kind more than I do."
"Thank you."
Leaving the muffled jeers and snarls spat at him. Pulling his thin poncho tighter around himself, Cal shuffled into the violent, frozen night.
Desperate to find a way to stop the clones.